How to Pack a Personal Item for Ultra-Minimalist Travel
Video Overview & Insights
Personal item bags are small but mighty. We're showing you how to fit everything you need for a short trip into a smaller bag.
What's your go-to personal item bag? 🎒👕
Packing everything into a personal item bag is an excellent way to save time and money while keeping all your travel essentials in one place. It's nearly always included in your fare, and it's small enough to carry around as you explore a new place. Plus, it's easier to stay organized with minimalist packing. What's the best bag for personal-item-only travel, and how to pack it? We're laying it all out for you in this video.
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looking at your pile of items, I'd argue that it's not really "ultra-minimalist" 😞
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0:00 - Intro
U have had ur hair cut ( lots) l was watching one b4 this & saw ur hair shorter & diff erently styled.l was thinking how l liked it.seems to really suit u & can change styles for varity! Nice !
0:25 - Choose Your Bag
1:58 - Lay It All Out
This was the best video I have seen! You really took so much time to explain. Thanks!
3:17 - Organize
5:42 - Compartmentalize
A bit off topic, but...I did it! Eight days in one overengineered bag*! (Well, okay, one bag plus...) My biggest win was tech, realizing that I didn't need to bring my laptop cable (just the huge power bank) and all my cables/etc actually fit in a like 3" x 2" pouch that came in a box of tampons one time lol. My biggest lesson (which I haven't yet learned) was those darn toiletries and my princess need to have all my hair stuff (4 products, a med-tooth comb, and a hot-sock diffuser).
*To make it a little bit more on-topic: it was a Jansport Landings bag, 30L but really like 27; too many pockets waste space but it's SO cute and I needed to be reined in anyway ;p
7:05 - Pack It Up
7:51 - Practice Your Trip
final weight?
8:24 - Pack With Me
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Hi there, where is your wallet, ID etc? Or do you have a small sling bag for those items?
PRODUCTS MENTIONED
Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack: https://www.packhacker.com/travel-gear/fjallraven/kanken-13-laptop-backpack/
Bra 😅
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Does no one use sleepwear anymore?
#personalitem #howtopack #minimalistpacking
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Fave bag: Kånken Nr. 2 and my Go to. Rarely, if I need more, I have an Osprey Daylight 26+6 but it does not fit always under some seats. The Kånken does. In fact, on an international flight I brought a flat packed cross body & used it for bringing things home … and as both were black, I fit both under the seat in front of me 😂. As a tall woman who is also not small, this works well for me. I even have room for all my meds & a small dry bag I use for wash n wear washing. I take fewer clothes: my go to is wear one outfit, pack an outfit plus an extra shirt. Carry a cardigan & coat with a foldable grocery bag in the pocket & once on board I fold my coat & cardi and use the grocery bag like a pillow. I have used this system for two week trips. I put more into the PC compartment - maybe some drawing supplies. The Kånken is definitely my fave!! My husband also has one & he has shoulder problems - but the Kånken is so light, it isn’t an issue. I have a pinched nerve in my back & again Kånken is no issue. Plus, the black Nr2 is pretty stylish. I took it to Paris & even with limited clothes - it was fine!! I did take one more shirt for Paris & some silk scarves.
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the kanken #2 laptop 15 is perfect for this, I have travelled for over two weeks with it as my only bag
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I take a small foldup nylon bag so I can put extra clothing I wear at the airport (jacket, cardigan, scarf etc) into it, tie the handles and use as a pillow.
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Ok I thought this video was going to be tips on how to pack in a more condensed way. For example, I. The military you learn how to roll your clothes tight rather than the square folding most learned as a kid. So as a new viewer, this was kind of a major let down lol
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Whoa $339.00 for a backpack ? Do you have a budget friendly alternative you can recommend? Great video though.. thanks 👍
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Been onebagging Kånken for years and although open to changing it, I am yet to find an alternative that doesn't look too technical. Removed the logo right out of the store, though. I don't care for looking sponsored.
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For anyone wondering what packing cube she used for the clothing, based on what I found on PackHacker's website, I believe it is a Heimplanet Packing Cube, which they have a review of!
More User Perspectives
I wish you didn't have the background music!
@christinae30I adore the Kanken! I keep trying other bags, but end up always coming back to it. I used to use the classic size, but when I got the one with the laptop pocket, it changed my packing life completely. That extra laptop pocket is so useful. I use it for documents and the essentials i need on a flight, and keep the main pocket for rest of the less-important stuff.
@mezzogalGreat video topic, however, the airplane ding, for example @ 3:15 is a little anxiety-inducing.
@seventieschild5Is this an ad for the kanken ?
@basdfgwePacking minimalist clothing isn’t that easy when you’re plus sized since there’s just more fabric. 😔
@zenatimeI usually only travel backpack only for trips up to 3 nights and 4 days, and don’t carry a laptop with me, so I normally put my clothes and pyjamas into ziplock bags and put them in the laptop pocket along with a small, flexible pouch with my cables and plug on top of the clothes. I can fit my toiletry pouch in the front pocket of my 17” laptop kanken and I have about 20 litres of space to work with in the main compartment for my Nintendo switch and souvenirs
Edit: I do carry a kanken sling as my main day bag which I’ll put a magnetic portable charger, my purse, uno, a canvas tote rolled up in the main pocket, the kindle and phone go into the back pocket; lip balm, Nic salts and keys go in the front pocket, L’Occitane mini hand cream in one side pocket, and my vape and a pen in the other side pocket and hook my AirPods case to the outside
The bottle pocket in a Fjallraven is useless . It’s actually a job stopper for me
@josephinecronin1195Great Video!👍👍👍
But now we need a follow up video for the next level personal item travel: Going on a photography trip by Ryan.
So how to fit a camera body and three lenses plus tripod, filter, batteries and setup to double save your pictures. ... it works, I tried it😊
I'm a sucker for punishment so I always think I need to bring my camera in a cube and my 15.6in laptop. 😭
@slickslabmcknabfulWhich packing cube did you use here for your clothing?
@biggerthanbothofusthanks for using the kanken. I don’t have one, but my nacaron reborn looks similar in size and shape.
@fufufuaruAWESOME DEMO THSNK YOU
@micheleaday3902What’s the name do the small toiletry bag that is being used at around 9.35 mark? Thanks :)
@MCkiwisharksI’m not cheap. Comfort at my feet is worth the cost of a checked bag to me. I like to have my backpack in the overhead bins, so I started carrying a chest rig and put that in a packable osprey bag that I put at my feet. I shouldn’t have to put my larger structured backpack at my feet so save overhead bin space for the cheap folks.
@kevinsmith9142I want to thank your group for normalizing Masking in the airport and on the planes. Better safe than sick and sorry :)
@7ymlordWhat was the packing cube you used for clothing?
@CherandTroyAdams-LuongHi All. I'm thinking of getting a ReKanken as a personal item bag. I was interested in what you said about kangaroo carry as I usually have a carry on backpack as well. I was wondering if this would work with a ReKanken as I can't find a video showing this? Thanks
@peterheinrich4270Great video! I liked your explanation a lot. Thank you! I’m currently using a generic backpack I bought on Amazon.
@marthameyer7918I just travelled to Stockholm for a week with my kanken. I „ctually have the newest version which is slightly bigger but still ok for most airlines. Another tip: take a neckpillow with you which doesn’t count as luggage and fill it up with some soft clothes like socks and undies. It’s amazing how much stuff you can put in there…
@stefaniepech2087Almond Oak 25+5 is my perfect personal item backpack
Also got the Minimul M20 to be used soon
I use a Topo Designs pack or one of those generic Amazon bags that fits the exact specs of Ryanair
@solvealwaysGreat inspiration, I am planning on traveling personal item only with this bag for a two month trip to Peru next month. I will use the laptop compartment for my sandals. My sling will be my tech pouch/flight comfort bag, it fits at the top for easy access on the plane. I am pleased to see how much you got in there so it gives me hope.
@carmenm6655Why do you wear mask in the airport now?
@NetvoTVLast trip (3 days) i used my 23L Backpack from Decathlon. For future trips I'm looking at the 26+6 from Osprey.
@abyshepherd6944I wish you included the weight of the kanken while empty and the final weight of the bag all packed. Other than that, good video!
@awgnawI'm always jealous of young people with straight hair... I'm an older lady with long 3c hair, scalp issues & sensitive skin (so I can't just pick up random stuff at my destination), my personal item could be entirely toiletries including sunscreen 😅😅 but I've learned to pack in just a personal item for 4-5 days.
@TischToshLove the Osprey 26+6. I pack it without expansion so if I need to add something or it’s very tight, I can unzip the expansion zipper and it’s easier to root around and find things. I pair it with the away carryon size, not the large carryon size for several weeks trips to Europe. I always tucks under the seat in front and I have a waist pack in the top that has charging cable, lactase, alcohol wipes, phone, and small packtowl that I wear to keep everything together so nothing gets left behind.
@LisaPharesAs I mentioned on another channel.... When buying and planning to travel with personal item bag. I highly recommend a bag with straps/ any loops on the outer because hanging certain item via carbiner is such a space saver & easy access without needing to open the bag.
@fpl_baileyMy flight last week they made several announcements that all charging banks must be placed in the seat pocket in front of you. Make sure your tech pouch can fit in the pocket.
@robinh2082Great video, and I appreciate the focus on concepts rather than focusing on listing the gear itself.
For the Switch (2?), I tried using the Tomtoc case and noticed the part behind the joycons was adding so much bulk, which you can see in your packing as well. I switched to the Spigen Thin Fit 360, which feels less premium but saves on a ton of space. I'd give that a try for packing like this.
Amazing video! Keep up the good work guys!!
@user-qk5ft8eo8tI love my Fjallraven Kanken for exactly THESE reasons! I can also access things easily on the bottom by moving the zipper to the side. I even use it as a foot rest during my flight. The structure is fantastic. Sometimes, simpler is just better.
@EveLivesToTravelExcellent presentation, but it would be interesting to see a largish guy do something similar (assume clothing would need more space).
@frstesiste7670